Funny thing about little things. They can have big consequences. Checking my email alerts this morning I was inundated with articles from far and wide exclaiming “Southwestern Resources stops shale gas tests, citing safety concerns”. This story was picked up…
Continue ReadingFireside chat: Shale gas
FDR used to use his fireside chats to try and explain to people the big changes he was making to the way their government worked. They were supposed to be a comfortable, relaxing time where the President came into your…
Continue ReadingThe Gasland effect
I thought the movie Gasland was a straight up Michael Moore moment. A guy investigates shale gas development – takes a very narrow and one-sided view – and ends up likely becoming a millionaire on the profits. The truth is…
Continue ReadingEducation and economic development
I have stated before that I am a bit skeptical of the trickle down (up?) theory of education – pour more and more money into the post-secondary education system and some of that will eventually spill over into broader economic…
Continue ReadingHas economic stimulus failed?
To be honest with you I don’t even like this conversation because people interpret my views as ‘left wing’ or some other ideological overlay. My personal views on politics and economics run quite conservative. I think government should stick primarily…
Continue ReadingNatural gas & Costco: as long as we all understand what’s at stake
I was doing some research on another sector entirely and I came across this study of the economic and employment impact of the natural gas industry in Canada (a 2009 study). I get a little leery of the use of…
Continue ReadingAlward’s economic dilemma
Someone asked me why I am not attacking the Alward government’s job creation record over its first year in office. If you have been reading the blog, you probably know the answer but just in case here is the…
Continue ReadingEconomic development is about your neighbourhood
Once in a while, I will get an email or blog post from an irate reader that is unpostable. As I have said before, I don’t post comments that include overly foul language or nasty personal attacks. Yesterday, my interlocutor…
Continue ReadingStop the misinformation about shale gas
It is interesting how people can talk themselves into just about anything (and I guess I should include myself in that). Someone wrote a letter to the editor worthy of a response: Bad economic development is worse than none Re:…
Continue ReadingIt’s hard to break the grip of EI
I have a long standing debate with a colleague on the role of EI and economic development in New Brunswick. I am not going to get into the meat and potatoes of our debate. Suffice it to say that I…
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